An experienced cyclist who suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car has settled his serious injury claim with support from Switalskis specialist brain injury team, allowing him to move forward following the accident.

The claim was led by Sam McFadyen , Senior Associate Solicitor and Brain Injury Team Leader at Switalskis, with support from Maria Dallas , Associate Chartered Legal Executive.

Cyclist suffered serious injuries after being hit by car

Our client, who we will refer to as L, was an experienced and enthusiastic cyclist. He was cycling along a road when a car travelling in the opposite direction suddenly turned right across his path.

The collision threw L from his bicycle and onto the bonnet of the car. He then bounced off the bonnet, hitting a nearby parked vehicle before coming to rest against a wall.

L was believed to have been unconscious for approximately six minutes following the collision. Emergency services attended the scene and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

Following investigations, L was diagnosed with a number of serious and complex orthopaedic injuries affecting both his arms and legs, as well as cuts and bruising.

He underwent a CT scan, which did not identify any brain injury at the time, despite the reported period of unconsciousness. He required surgery to treat some of his orthopaedic injuries.

L remained in hospital for five days before returning home. Initially, the severity of his injuries meant that he needed significant care and assistance with everyday activities. He also experienced complications with infections affecting his surgical wounds.

A positive recovery

Despite the seriousness of the accident and the challenges he faced during his initial recovery, L made significant progress.

He was able to return to his work as a surveyor without ongoing difficulties and has since returned to cycling.

As L and his family became increasingly confident that he had not suffered any permanent physical or cognitive effects from the accident, they carefully considered the options available to them in relation to his claim.

Following advice from Sam and Maria, L decided that an early settlement was the right outcome for him. The claim was therefore concluded with a six-figure settlement, allowing L and his family to move forward with their lives.

Sam McFadyen, Senior Associate Solicitor and brain injury claims specialist at Switalskis, said:

“Claims involving injuries of this nature can often take considerable time to resolve, particularly where there is uncertainty about a person’s long-term recovery.

“In L’s case, his recovery progressed very positively and, after carefully considering the options available to him, he decided that an early settlement was the right choice.

“Our role was to make sure that L and his family had the information and advice they needed to make an informed decision about how they wanted to proceed with the claim.”

Maria Dallas, Associate Chartered Legal Executive at Switalskis, said:

“This case highlights the importance of considering the individual circumstances of each client when deciding how a claim should progress.

“While continuing with a claim may be the right option for some people, L was able to make a positive recovery and felt that settling the claim early would allow him and his family to move forward.

“I wish L and his family all the best for the future and hope that the settlement provides them with further reassurance as they continue with their lives.”

‘Individual, caring approach’

Following the settlement, L said:

“Sam and Maria were responsive and helpful throughout the process. Showing an individual, caring approach by visiting us initially was reassuring and they supported us throughout the claim. With any major turning points they offered a video call to suit our availability. If we do ever need the support of a solicitor again we will definitely get back in contact.”

Specialist brain injury solicitors supporting people after serious accidents

Our specialist brain injury and serious injury solicitors support people who have suffered life-changing injuries following road traffic accidents and other incidents.

We understand that every injury and every person's circumstances are different. Our solicitors take the time to understand what has happened, the impact on you and your family, and what you may need to support your recovery and future.

We can advise you on your legal options and help you make informed decisions about your claim at every stage.

If you or someone close to you has suffered a brain or serious injury following an accident that was not your fault, our specialist team may be able to help.